Press Releases

Masdar Institute Gears up for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Achievements and Opportunities for Research Collaboration in Response to UAE Innovation Strategy Goals to be Highlighted in Weeks Ahead

13 January 2015

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, is gearing up to showcase its efforts to promote sustainable technologies and innovation in the UAE at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), taking place from 17 - 24 January.

Masdar Institute will be making a number of significant announcements at ADSW that will further the UAE’s strategic goals in the areas of energy, human capital development and innovation.

“We are constantly working to bridge the gap between the inventive potential of our researchers and the science and technology innovation goals of the UAE. Our major announcements, collaborations and panel discussions taking place during ADSW all focus on further contributing to the goals Masdar Institute shares with the UAE government and other regional partners,” said Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute.

The UAE Innovation Strategy, announced in October 2014, aims to make the UAE one of the world’s most innovative countries by 2021 and requires all UAE government entities to reduce spending by 1% and to dedicate those savings to research and innovation projects. In particular, the strategy targets seven sectors for innovation - renewable energy, transport, education, health, technology, water and space.

With its five research centers currently leading hundreds of research projects of relevance to Abu Dhabi’s strategic needs, Masdar Institute aims to facilitate further collaborative research during ADSW. Masdar Institute has taken the additional step of mapping its iCenters and research objectives to the seven sectors identified in the National Innovation Strategy.

“Sustainability is part of our very mission and it helps to drive our contribution to economic diversification in the UAE. Our students and faculty dedicate the majority of their time to pursuing research of relevance to the UAE’s strategic and sustainability needs. It is obvious then that ADSW is an important event in our calendar, as it gives Masdar Institute the opportunity to not only showcase its efforts, but to also plan and collaborate for even greater ones,” said Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute.

As part of its efforts to help advance the UAE’s innovation ecosystem and culture of R&D, Masdar Institute will be hosting an Innovation Zone at ADSW highlighting key research projects demonstrated by Masdar Institute students, a speed mentoring activity, as well as panel discussions and workshops led by faculty members and senior management of the institute.

Visitors to the Masdar Institute stand (Stand #5350) will be met with faculty, students and research experts who can provide useful insight into the university’s operations and accomplishments.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ADSW 2015 is the ground-breaking global forum that unites thought leaders, policy makers and investors to address the challenges of renewable energy and sustainable development.